Heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger having an improved distribution structure in which one inlet pipe is connected to a header which is partitioned into a first sub-chamber in which a refrigerant flows through the inlet pipe and a second sub-chamber in which tubes communicate with each other, and a distribution pipe is installed at the header and causes the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber to communicate so that the refrigerant in the first sub-chamber can be distributed to the tubes. The distribution pipe can pass through and can be combined with a partitioning baffle that is combined with the header to partition a chamber of the header into the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0111721 filed on Oct. 9, 2012, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0042780 filed on Apr. 18, 2013 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The following description relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly, to a heat exchanger having an improved refrigerant distribution structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a heat exchanger is a device that exchanges heat from a refrigerant with air outside the heat exchanger by using a tube in which the refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger, heat-exchanging fins that contact the tube to increase a heat dissipation area, and a header in which both ends of the tube communicate with each other. The heat exchanger may include an evaporator or a condenser and may constitute a refrigerating cycle device together with a compressor for compressing the refrigerant and an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant.

The heat exchanger may have an inlet pipe through which a refrigerant outside the heat exchanger flows into the heat exchanger, and the refrigerant that flows through the inlet pipe may be distributed to a plurality of tubes via the header. The refrigerant is equally distributed to the plurality of tubes to improve heat exchange efficiency. Thus, two or more inlet pipes may be provided, depending on the flow rate of the refrigerant.

However, because an increase in the number of inlet pipes increases cost design space, a structure in which only one inlet pipe is used while distribution of the refrigerant is improved has been researched.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a heat exchanger having one inlet pipe and one outlet pipe and having an improved refrigerant distribution structure.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a heat exchanger that mixes and stabilizes a refrigerant that flows in a header through one inlet pipe to distribute the refrigerant to tubes.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a heat exchanger having an improved assembling structure of a distribution pipe.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a heat exchanger that mixes and stabilizes a refrigerant that flows from tubes disposed in a front row to cause the refrigerant to flow into tubes disposed in a rear row.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a heat exchanger having an improved assembling structure of an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a heat exchanger having an improved distribution structure of a refrigerant that flows in a header through an outlet pipe when a heating cycle is circulated.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger includes an inlet pipe through which a refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger, an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger, tubes into which the refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger and which are disposed in a plurality of rows including a first row and a second row, a first header having a first chamber in which the refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger through the inlet pipe and the first-row tubes communicate with one another and a second chamber in which the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger through the outlet pipe and the second-row tubes communicate with one another, a second header having a third chamber in which the first-row tubes communicate with one another and a fourth chamber in which the refrigerant in the third chamber flows and the second-row tubes communicate with one another, a first partitioning baffle that partitions the first chamber into a first sub-chamber in which the refrigerant flows through the inlet pipe and a second sub-chamber in which the first-row tubes communicate with one another, and a distribution pipe that passes through and is combined with the first partitioning baffle, is disposed in a lengthwise direction of the first header, and has a plurality of distribution holes formed spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap from the first partitioning baffle to the second sub-chamber.

The refrigerant that flows in the first sub-chamber through the inlet pipe may be mixed in the first sub-chamber and then may flow into the second sub-chamber through the distribution pipe.

An end of the distribution pipe may pass through and may be combined with the first partitioning baffle, and the other end of the distribution pipe may pass through and may be combined with a cover baffle combined with the first header to cover one open side of the second sub-chamber.

The distribution pipe may have two distribution holes.

The first header may include a central barrier rib that partitions the first header into the first chamber and the second chamber, and the distribution hole may be formed to be directed toward the central barrier rib.

The heat exchanger may further include a cap that is combined with an outlet of the distribution pipe and seals the outlet of the distribution pipe.

The distribution pipe may include an internal space, an outer wall that constitutes the internal space, and a plurality of ribs that protrude from the outer wall to separate the outer wall from an inner side of the first header and that are supported on the inner side of the first header.

The outer wall may be spaced apart from the inner side of the first header by a gap of 1 mm or more.

The plurality of ribs may include a plurality of lower ribs that protrude from a lower side of the outer wall, a plurality of left ribs that protrude from a left side of the outer wall, and a plurality of right ribs that protrude from a right side of the outer wall. The ribs may be formed spaced apart from each other, and a flow space in which the refrigerant is able to flow, may be formed between the ribs.

The distribution pipe may include an internal space, an outer wall that constitutes the internal space, and a stopper rib that protrudes from an upper side of the outer wall to limit insertion depths of the first-row tubes.

A cross-sectional area of the distribution pipe may be 15% to 30% of a cross-sectional area of the first chamber.

A differential pressure between a refrigerant that flows in the heat exchanger through the inlet pipe and a refrigerant that flows out of the heat exchanger through the outlet pipe may be 0.5 kgf/cm² to 2.0 kgf/cm².

The third chamber may not be partitioned by an additional baffle so that the refrigerant that flows into the third chamber from the first chamber through the front-row tubes is mixed in the third chamber and then flows into the fourth chamber, and the fourth chamber may be partitioned by at least one second partitioning baffle.

The second header may include a central barrier rib that partitions the second header into the third chamber and the fourth chamber, and at least one through hole through which the third chamber and the fourth chamber are connected to each other, may be formed in the central barrier rib, the at least one through hole not being formed in a predetermined section of both ends of the central barrier rib.

The heat exchanger may further include an inlet connection pipe combined with the inlet pipe, an outlet connection pipe combined with the outlet pipe, and a flange that causes the inlet connection pipe and the outlet connection pipe to be combined with the first header, wherein the flange is combined with the first header by brazing and riveting.

The inlet connection pipe and the outlet connection pipe may be combined with an outer side of the flange by brazing using solder rings.

The first header may include a body having a central barrier rib and a cover combined with the body, the cover may include a through hole through which a part of the central barrier rib passes, and the flange may include an insertion groove in which at least a part of the central barrier rib that passes through the through hole is inserted.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger includes tubes in which a refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger, a header having a chamber formed in the header, a first cover baffle and a second cover baffle that are combined with both ends of the header to cover both open sides of the chamber, a partitioning baffle combined with the header to partition the chamber, a first sub-chamber, which is formed between the first cover baffle and the partitioning baffle and in which the refrigerant flows, a second sub-chamber, which is formed between the partitioning baffle and the second cover baffle and in which the tubes communicate with one another, and a distribution pipe that passes through and is combined with the partitioning baffle and the second cover baffle and is disposed in a lengthwise direction of the header.

Distribution pipe through holes, through which the distribution pipe passes, may be formed in the partitioning baffle and the second cover baffle.

The distribution pipe may include an internal space, an outer wall that constitutes the internal space, and ribs that protrude from the outer wall to reinforce a combination force between the partitioning baffle and the second cover baffle, and the distribution pipe through holes may have shapes corresponding to a cross-section of the distribution pipe.

The distribution pipe may be formed of aluminum and may be combined with the partitioning baffle and the second cover baffle by brazing.

An inlet of the distribution pipe may be disposed in the first sub-chamber so that a refrigerant in the first sub-chamber is able to flow in the distribution pipe through the inlet of the distribution pipe, an outlet of the distribution pipe may be exposed to an outside of the header, an additional cap may be combined with the outlet of the distribution pipe, and the outlet of the distribution pipe may be sealed, and at least one distribution hole through which the refrigerant in the first sub-chamber flows into the second sub-chamber may be formed in the outer wall of the distribution pipe.

The cap may be formed of aluminum and may be combined with the distribution pipe by brazing.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger includes tubes in which a refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger, a first header and a second header, which are spaced apart from each other in lengthwise directions of the first header and the second header and in which the tubes communicate with one another, one inlet pipe through which the refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger, and a distribution pipe disposed in the first and second headers in the lengthwise directions of the first and second headers to distribute the refrigerant that flows in the heat exchanger through the one inlet pipe to the tubes, wherein the first header includes a first sub-chamber that causes the refrigerant flowing through the one inlet pipe is mixed before being distributed to the tubes and a second sub-chamber, which is partitioned from the first sub-chamber and in which the tubes communicate with each other, the distribution pipe is separately provided from the one inlet pipe not to contact the one inlet pipe, and the refrigerant flowing through the one inlet pipe successively passes through the first sub-chamber, an inside of the distribution pipe, and the second sub-chamber and is distributed to the tubes.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heat exchanger including: an inlet pipe through which a refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger, an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger, tubes in which the refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger and which are disposed in a plurality of rows including a first row and a second row, a first header having a first chamber in which the refrigerant flows through the inlet pipe and the first-row tubes communicate with each other and a second chamber in which the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger through the outlet pipe and the second-row tubes communicate with each other, and a second header having a third chamber in which the first-row tubes communicate with each other and a fourth chamber in which the refrigerant in the third chamber flows and the second-row tubes communicate with each other, wherein the third chamber is not partitioned by a baffle so that the refrigerant flowing through the front-row tubes is mixed in the third chamber and then flows into the fourth chamber, and the fourth chamber is partitioned into a plurality of sub-chambers by the baffle so that the refrigerant flowing in the third chamber is distributed to the rear-row tubes.

The second header may include a central barrier rib that partitions the second header into the third chamber and the fourth chamber, and at least one through hole through which the third chamber and the fourth chamber are connected to each other, may be formed in the central barrier rib, the at least one through hole not being formed in a predetermined section of both ends of the central barrier rib.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger includes tubes into which the refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger and which are disposed in a plurality of rows including a first row and a second row, a first header having a first chamber that communicates with ends of the first-row tubes and a second chamber that communicates with ends of the second-row tubes, a second header having a third chamber that communicates with the other ends of the first-row tubes and a fourth chamber that communicates with the other ends of the second-row tubes and the third chamber, an inlet pipe that communicates with the first chamber so that the refrigerant is able to flow in the heat exchanger when a cooling cycle is circulated and the refrigerant is able to flow out of the heat exchanger when a heating cycle is circulated, an outlet pipe that communicates with the second chamber so that the refrigerant is able to flow out of the heat exchanger when the cooling cycle is circulated and the refrigerant is able to flow in the heat exchanger when the heating cycle is circulated, a heating distributor disposed in the second chamber so that the refrigerant that flows into the second chamber through the outlet pipe when the heating cycle is circulated is able to be distributed to the second-row tubes.

The heating distributor may include a distribution baffle that partitions the second chamber into a first distribution chamber and a second distribution chamber and a heating distribution pipe that passes through the distribution baffle and causes the first distribution chamber and the second distribution chamber to communicate.

The distribution baffle may be disposed to correspond to a position of an outlet hole formed in the first header so that the refrigerant flows through the outlet pipe.

The first distribution chamber may communicate with the outlet pipe and does not communicate with the tubes, and the second distribution chamber may not communicate with the outlet pipe and the second-row tubes.

A part of the refrigerant that flows in the second chamber through the outlet pipe may flow into the first distribution chamber, and the other part of the refrigerant may flow into the second distribution chamber.

The refrigerant that flows in the second chamber through the outlet pipe may be guided to the first distribution chamber and the second distribution chamber that are partitioned by the distribution baffle.

The refrigerant that flows in the first distribution chamber may pass through the heating distribution pipe and the second distribution chamber and may be guided to the second-row tubes, and the refrigerant flowing in the second distribution chamber may be directly guided to the second-row tubes.

The heating distribution pipe may have at least one distribution hole through which the refrigerant in the first distribution chamber is distributed to the second-row tubes.

The second-row tubes may include first zone tubes that are positioned in a zone close to the outlet pipe and a second zone tubes that are positioned in a zone distant from the outlet pipe by setting a middle part of a tube that is the closest to the outlet pipe and a tube that is farthest from the outlet pipe to a reference point, and the at least one distribution hole may be formed in a position corresponding to the second zone tubes.

The second-row tubes may include first zone tubes that are positioned in a zone close to the outlet pipe and a second zone tubes that are positioned in a zone distant from the outlet pipe by setting a middle part of a tube that is the closest to the outlet pipe and a tube that is farthest from the outlet pipe to a reference point, and a greater part of the refrigerant flowing in the first distribution chamber may be distributed to the second zone tubes via the heating distribution pipe, and a greater part of the refrigerant flowing in the second distribution chamber may be distributed to the first zone tubes.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger includes tubes into which the refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger and which are disposed in a plurality of rows including a first row and a second row, a first header having a first chamber that communicates with ends of the first-row tubes and a second chamber that communicates with ends of the second-row tubes, a second header having a third chamber that communicates with the other ends of the first-row tubes and a fourth chamber that communicates with the other ends of the second-row tubes and the third chamber, an inlet pipe that communicates with the first chamber so that the refrigerant is able to flow into the heat exchanger when a cooling cycle is circulated and the refrigerant is able to flow out of the heat exchanger when a heating cycle is circulated, an outlet pipe that communicates with the second chamber so that the refrigerant is able to flow out of the heat exchanger when the cooling cycle is circulated and the refrigerant is able to flow in the heat exchanger when the heating cycle is circulated, a cooling distributor disposed in the first chamber so that the refrigerant that flows into the first chamber through the inlet pipe when the cooling cycle is circulated is able to be distributed to the first-row tubes, and a heating distributor disposed in the second chamber so that the refrigerant that flows into the second chamber through the outlet pipe when the heating cycle is circulated is able to be distributed to the second-row tubes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a first header of the heat exchanger illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a distribution pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the exterior of the distribution pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the exterior of the distribution pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header illustrating a combined structure of an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the first header illustrating the periphery of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a plan cross-sectional view of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a first header of a heat exchanger, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger illustrated in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a heating distribution pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating the flow of a refrigerant in a second chamber of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17 when a heating cycle is circulated;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant on the periphery of a distribution baffle of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17 when the heating cycle is circulated;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the periphery of the distribution baffle of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17 when a cooling cycle is circulated; and

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17 when a heating cycle is circulated

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of tubes 10 in which a refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger, heat-exchanging fins 20 that contact the plurality of tubes 10 to increase a heat transfer area with air outside the heat exchanger 1, a first header 100 and a second header 200 in which the plurality of tubes 10 communicate with one another, an inlet pipe 300 through which a refrigerant outside the heat exchanger 1 flows into the heat exchanger 1, an outlet pipe 400 through which the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger 1, a flange 500 that fixes the inlet pipe 300 and the outlet pipe 400 to the first header 100, an inlet connection pipe 310 that connects the inlet pipe 300 and the flange 500, and an outlet connection pipe 410 that connects the outlet pipe 400 and the flange 500.

The tubes 10 may have a plurality of microchannels formed in the tubes 10 so that the refrigerant can flow into the heat exchanger 1 through the plurality of microchannels. The tubes 10 may be formed to be flat. The tubes 10 may be disposed in two rows including a front row 11 and a rear row 12. The tubes 10 may be disposed in a vertical direction. The tubes 10 may be extrusion-molded using aluminum.

The heat-exchanging fins 20 may be disposed between the tubes 10 to contact outer walls of the tubes 10. The heat-exchanging fins 20 may be provided in various known forms and may have louvers for improving heat transfer and drainage performance. The heat-exchanging fins 20 may be formed of aluminum and may be combined with the tubes 10 by brazing.

The first header 100 and the second header 200 may be disposed spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap, and the tubes 10 may be disposed between the first header 100 and the second header 200. The first header 100 may be disposed below the tubes 10, and the second header 200 may be disposed above the tubes 10.

One inlet pipe 300 and one outlet pipe 400 may be provided. Thus, a sufficient design space for an air conditioner in which the heat exchanger 1 is disposed, can be obtained. The refrigerant may flow in a first chamber (see 140 of FIG. 3) of the first header 100 through the inlet pipe 300. The refrigerant in a second chamber (see 150 of FIG. 4) of the first header 100 may flow out of the heat exchanger 1 through the outlet pipe 400.

A diameter of the inlet pipe 300 may be smaller than a diameter of the outlet pipe 400. A refrigerant in a liquid or gaseous state at a low temperature under a low pressure that passes through an expansion valve (not shown) may flow in the inlet pipe 300. The refrigerant that flows through the inlet pipe 300 may pass through the tubes 10, may be evaporated by absorbing external heat and may flow out of the heat exchanger 1 through the outlet pipe 400. Thus, in the cooling cycle, the heat exchanger 1 serves as an evaporator.

However, in contrast, a refrigerant in a gaseous state at a high temperature under a high pressure that passes through the compressor (not shown) flows in the heat exchanger 1 through the outlet pipe 400, passes through the tubes 10, and is condensed due to heat dissipated to the outside of the heat exchanger 1. The condensed refrigerant may flow out of the heat exchanger 1 through the inlet pipe 300. Thus, in the heating cycle, the heat exchanger 1 may serve as a condenser.

Hereinafter, a case that the heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 1 is used as an evaporator will be described. However, it would be obvious that the heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 1 may be used as a condenser when the refrigerant is circulated in a reverse cycle, as described above.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a first header of the heat exchanger illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a plan cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a distribution pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the exterior of the distribution pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the exterior of the distribution pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 9, the first header 100 of the heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 1 includes a body 110, a cover 120 combined with the body 110, and chambers 140 and 150, which are disposed in the body 110 and the cover 120 and in which the refrigerant flows.

The body 110 includes a bottom part 112 and a central barrier rib 111 that protrudes from a center of the bottom part 112, and the cover 120 includes an upper wall 121 and sidewalls 122 that extend from both sides of the upper wall 121.

Combination grooves 113 may be formed in the bottom part 112, and ends of the sidewalls 122 of the cover 120 are inserted in the combination grooves 113 so that the body 110 and the cover 120 can be securely combined with each other. The body 110 and the cover 120 may be formed of aluminum and may be combined with each other by brazing.

The chambers 140 and 150 may be partitioned into a first chamber 140 and a second chamber 150 by the central barrier rib 111. The front-row tubes 11 may be connected to the first chamber 140, and the rear-row tubes 12 may be connected to the second chamber 150. Also, the refrigerant may flow into the first chamber 140 through the inlet pipe 300, and the refrigerant in the second chamber 150 may flow out of the second chamber 150 through the outlet pipe 400.

A through hole 123 may be formed in the center of the upper wall 121, a through protrusion 111 a is formed on a top end of the central barrier rib 111 to pass through the through hole 123 so that the first chamber 140 and the second chamber 150 can be fundamentally separated from each other.

Both sides of the first chamber 140 and the second chamber 150 may be opened, and cover baffles 130, 131, and 132 may be combined with both ends of the first header 100 to cover both open sides of the first chamber 140 and the second chamber 150. The cover baffles 130, 131, and 132 may be inserted into cover baffle holes 114 and 127 formed in the body 110 and the cover 120, and thus may be combined with the first header 100. The cover baffles 130, 131, and 132 may be combined with the first header 100 by brazing.

The cover baffles 130, 131, and 132 may have the same shape and may perform the same function. However, hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a cover baffle that is close to the inlet pipe 300 between the cover baffles 131 and 132 disposed on both ends of the first chamber 140 is indicated by reference numeral 131, and a cover baffle that is disposed at an opposite side to the cover baffle 131 is indicated by reference numeral 132.

Tube holes 124 in which the tubes 10 may be inserted, may be formed in the cover 120. An inlet hole 125 through which the refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe 300 may pass, and an outlet hole 126 in which the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger 1 through the outlet pipe 400, may be formed in the cover 120.

The first chamber 140 is partitioned into a first sub-chamber 141 and a second sub-chamber 142. The first chamber 140 may be partitioned into the first sub-chamber 141 and the second sub-chamber 142 by a partitioning baffle 143 combined with the first header 100.

The partitioning baffle 143 may be inserted in partitioning baffle holes 115 and 128 formed in the body 110 and the cover 120, and may be combined with the first header 100. The partitioning baffle 143 may be combined with the first header 110 by brazing.

Thus, the first sub-chamber 141 may be constituted by the partitioning baffle 143, the first cover baffle 131, the body 110, and the cover 120, and the second sub-chamber 142 may be constituted by the partitioning baffle 143, the second cover baffle 132, the body 110, and the cover 120.

In this case, the refrigerant may flow into the first sub-chamber 141 through the inlet pipe 300, and the front-row tubes 11 may be connected to the second sub-chamber 142. The refrigerant that flows in the first sub-chamber 141 may flow into the second sub-chamber 142 through a distribution pipe 600 that will be described later. That is, the first chamber 140 is partitioned by the partitioning baffle 143 into the first sub-chamber 141 in which the refrigerant flows, and the second sub-chamber 142 in which the refrigerant in the first sub-chamber 141 flows and which is connected to the front-row tubes 11.

The distribution pipe 600 is installed at the first header 100 and passes through the partitioning baffle 143 and is disposed in a lengthwise direction of the first chamber 140 so that the refrigerant flowing in the first sub-chamber 141 can flow into the second sub-chamber 142. The distribution pipe 600 may equally distribute the refrigerant in the first sub-chamber 141 to the front-row tubes 11.

As a result, the partitioning baffle 143 and the distribution pipe 600 constitute a cooling distributor that equally distributes the refrigerant flowing in the first chamber 140 through the inlet pipe 300 to the tubes 11 when the cooling cycle is circulated.

The distribution pipe 600 has a shape of a pipe having both open sides, an end of the distribution pipe 600 may pass through and may be combined with the partitioning baffle 143, and the other end of the distribution pipe 600 may pass through and may be combined with the second cover baffle 132. Distribution pipe through holes 132 a and 143 a, through which the distribution pipe 600 passes, may be formed in the partitioning baffle 143 and the second cover baffle 132. The distribution pipe through holes 132 a and 143 a may have shapes corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the distribution pipe 600 so that a space between the distribution pipe 600 and the distribution pipe through holes 132 a and 143 a may be sealed.

In this case, one side 602 that constitutes an outlet, between both open sides (see 601 and 602 of FIG. 3) of the distribution pipe 600 may be exposed to an outside of the first header 100. A cap 690 may be combined with the side 602 exposed to the outside of the first header 100 so that the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing out of the heat exchanger 1. The distribution pipe 600 and the cap 690 may be formed of aluminum and may be combined with each other by brazing.

The distribution pipe 600 may have at least one distribution hole 680 that is formed spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap from the partitioning baffle 143 to the second sub-chamber 142 so that the refrigerant flowing in the first sub-chamber 141 through the inlet 601 can flow into the second sub-chamber 142.

Thus, the refrigerant flowing in the first sub-chamber 141 through the inlet 601 of the distribution pipe 600, may successively pass through an internal space of the distribution pipe 600 and the distribution hole 680 and may flow into the second sub-chamber 142.

In this case, preferably, two distribution holes 680 may be formed so that they can be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap. Also, preferably, the positions of the distribution holes 680 may be directed toward the central barrier rib 111.

In addition, preferably, the cross-sectional area of the distribution pipe 680 may be approximately 15% to approximately 30% of the cross-sectional area of the first chamber 140.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the refrigerant that flows in an internal space of the distribution pipe 600 may flow into the second sub-chamber 142 through the distribution hole 680 and may be equally distributed to the front-row tubes 11. In FIG. 6, dotted lines represent the flow of the refrigerant in the internal space of the distribution pipe 600, and solid lines represent the flow of the refrigerant that flows in the second sub-chamber 142 through the distribution hole 680.

Through this structure, as a result, although only one inlet pipe 300 is disposed at one side of the first header 100, the refrigerant that flows in the first chamber 140 through the inlet pipe 300 may be uniformly dispersed and may be distributed to the front-row tubes 11.

Also, the refrigerant that flows in the first sub-chamber 141 may be mixed and stabilized in the first sub-chamber 141 before it flows into the internal space of the distribution pipe 600. Thus, a refrigerant distribution and heat exchange efficiency can be improved.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 9, the distribution pipe 600 may include an internal space 620, an outer wall 610 that constitutes the internal space 620, and a plurality of ribs 640, 650, 660, and 670 that protrude from the outer wall 610.

The plurality of ribs 640, 650, 660, and 670 may include support ribs 640, 650, and 660 that protrude from the outer wall 610 and are supported on an inner side of the first header 100, to cause the outer wall 610 to be spaced apart from the inner side of the first header 100 by a predetermined gap, and a stopper rib 670 that may limit an insertion depth of the tubes 10.

The support ribs 640, 650, and 660 may include lower support ribs 640 that protrude from a lower side of the outer wall 610, left support ribs 650 that protrude from a left side of the outer wall 610, and right support ribs 660 that protrude from a right side of the outer wall 610, based on directions from which the support ribs 640, 650, and 660 protrude.

The outer wall 610 of the distribution pipe 600 and the inner side of the first header 100 may be spaced apart from each other by a gap of approximately 1 mm or more to be most suitable for the flow of the refrigerant.

In this case, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, respective lower support ribs 640 a, 640 b, and 640 c may be formed spaced apart from one another by a predetermined gap. Thus, flow spaces in which the refrigerant may flow, may be formed between the respective lower support ribs 640 a, 640 b, and 640 c. Respective left support ribs 650 a, 650 b, and 650 c and respective right support ribs 660 a, 660 b, and 660 c may also be formed spaced apart from one another by a predetermined gap, and flow spaces in which the refrigerant may flow, may be formed between the respective left support ribs 650 a, 650 b, and 650 c and the respective right support ribs 660 a, 660 b, and 660 c.

Through this structure, the refrigerant that flows in the second sub-chamber 142 through the distribution hole 680 of the distribution pipe 600 may easily flow in the second sub-chamber 142 and may be distributed to the front-row tubes 11.

The stopper rib 670 may protrude from an upper portion of the outer wall 610 and may prevent the tubes 10 from being excessively inserted into the first chamber 140.

An increase in resistance of the refrigerant caused by installation of the distribution pipe 600 can be minimized by the shape and the assembling structure of the distribution pipe 600. When a differential pressure between a refrigerant that flows in a general heat exchanger through an inlet pipe and a refrigerant that flows out of the general heat exchanger through an outlet pipe is approximately 0.2 kgf/cm² to approximately 0.5 kgf/cm², a differential pressure between a refrigerant that flows in the heat exchanger 1 through the inlet pipe 300 and a refrigerant that flows out of the heat exchanger 1 through the outlet pipe 400, as illustrated in FIG. 1, may be maintained at approximately 0.5 kgf/cm² to approximately 2.0 kgf/cm², even though the distribution pipe 600 is installed at the heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header illustrating a combined structure of an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of the first header illustrating the periphery of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 10 through 11, the inlet pipe 300 of the heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 1 may be securely combined with the first header 100 via the inlet connection pipe 310 and the flange 500. The outlet pipe 400 may be securely combined with the first header 100 via the outlet connection pipe 410 and the flange 500.

The inlet connection pipe 310 and the outlet connection pipe 410 may be formed of stainless steel and thus may prevent abrasion caused by dissimilar material joining of the inlet pipe 300 and the outlet pipe 400 formed of copper and the first header 100 and the flange 500 formed of aluminum.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the inlet pipe 300 and the outlet pipe 400 may be inserted in and combined with an upper enlarged pipe part 311 of the inlet connection pipe 310 and an upper enlarged pipe part 411 of the outlet connection pipe 410 by brazing.

The inlet connection pipe 310 and the outlet connection pipe 410 may be combined with the flange 500 by brazing. In this case, a solder ring combination groove 510 may be formed in an outer side of the flange 500, and solder rings 320 and 420 may be inserted in the solder ring combination groove 510 so that the inlet connection pipe 310 and the outlet connection pipe 410 can be easily combined with the flange 500 by brazing.

Although not shown, enlarged pipe parts may be formed below the inlet connection pipe 310 and the outer connection pipe 410 and thus may be supported on the inner side of the flange 500.

The flange 500 may be combined with an outer side of the first header 100 by brazing. Also, the flange 500 may be combined with the first header 100 using rivets to reinforce a combination force. To this end, rivet holes 520 and 129 may be formed in the flange 500 and the first header 100.

In this case, an insertion groove 530 in which the through protrusions 111 a of the center barrier rib 111 of the first header 100 are inserted, may be formed in a lower portion of the flange 500. The through protrusions 111 a may be used to fundamentally separate the first chamber 140 and the second chamber 150 of the first header 100 from each other, as described above.

Through this structure, the refrigerant outside the heat exchanger 1 may successively pass through the inlet pipe 300, the inlet connection pipe 310, the flange 500, and the inlet hole 125 and may flow into the first chamber 140, and the refrigerant in the second chamber 150 may successively pass through the outlet hole 126, the flange 500, the outlet connection pipe 410, and the outlet pipe 400 and may flow out of the heat exchanger 1.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, FIG. 15 is a plan cross-sectional view of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1, and FIG. 16 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the second header of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 12 through 16, the second header 200 of the heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 1 includes a body 210, a cover 220 combined with the body 210, and chambers 240 and 250, which are formed in the body 210 and the cover 220, and in which the refrigerant flows.

The body 210 includes a bottom part 212, a central barrier rib 211 that protrudes from a center of the bottom part 212, and the cover 220 includes a lower wall 221 and sidewalls 222 that extend from both sides of the lower wall 221.

A combination groove may be formed in the bottom part 212, and ends of the sidewalls 222 may be inserted in the combination groove so that the body 210 and the cover 220 can be securely combined with each other. The body 210 and the cover 220 may be formed of aluminum and may be combined with each other by brazing.

The chambers 240 and 250 may be partitioned into a third chamber 240 and a fourth chamber 250 by the central barrier rib 211. The front-row tubes 11 may be connected to the third chamber 240, and the rear-row tubes 12 may be connected to the fourth chamber 250.

At least one through hole 214 through which the refrigerant in the third chamber 240 may flow into the fourth chamber 250, may be formed in the central barrier rib 211. In this case, the through hole 214 may not be formed in a predetermined section (see 215 of FIG. 16) of both ends of the central barrier rib 211.

Due to characteristics of the refrigerant, the refrigerant in a liquid state may be converged toward both sides of the third chamber 240. Thus, the through hole 214 may not be formed in the predetermined section 215 of both ends of the central barrier rib 211 so that the refrigerant in the liquid state in the third chamber 240 may be gathered on a center of the third chamber 240 and may flow into the fourth chamber 250.

A through hole 223 may be formed in the center of the lower wall 221, a through protrusion 211 a may be formed in a lower end of the central barrier rib 211 to pass through the through hole 223 so that the through protrusion 211 a may pass through and may be combined with the through hole 223.

Both sides of the third chamber 240 and the fourth chamber 250 may be opened, and cover baffles 230 may be combined with both ends of the second header 200 to cover both open sides of the third chamber 240 and the fourth chamber 250. The cover baffles 230 may be inserted in cover baffle holes 216 and 224 formed in the body 210 and the cover 220 and thus may be combined with the second header 200.

The cover baffles 230 may be combined with the second header 200 by brazing. Tube holes 225 in which the tubes 10 may be inserted, may be formed in the cover 220.

Also, partitioning baffles 260 that partition the fourth chamber 250 into a plurality of sub-chambers 251, 252, and 253, may be combined with the second header 200. Partitioning baffle holes 217, in which the partitioning baffles 260 are inserted, may be formed in the body 210, and partitioning baffle holes, in which the partitioning baffles 260 are inserted, may also be formed in the cover 220.

However, the third chamber 240 may not be partitioned by an additional partitioning baffle. Thus, the refrigerant that flows in the third chamber 240 through the front-row tubes 11 may flow into the fourth chamber 250 after it is mixed and stabilized in the third chamber 240.

Hereinafter, the flow of the refrigerant of the heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 1 having the above structure will be briefly described.

The heat exchanger 1 of FIG. 1 includes the first header 100 having the first chamber 140 and the second chamber 150, the second header 200 having the third chamber 240 and the fourth chamber 250, the tubes 10 that are disposed in two rows including the front row 11 and the rear row 12, and the heat-exchanging fins 20 disposed between the tubes 10. Also, only one inlet pipe 300 and only one outlet pipe 400 are provided and are connected to the first chamber 140 of the first header 100.

The refrigerant that flows in the first chamber 140 of the first header 100 through the inlet pipe 300 is first mixed and stabilized in the first sub-chamber 141 of the first chamber 140 and flows into the second sub-chamber 142 of the first chamber 140 through the distribution pipe 600. The refrigerant that flows into the second sub-chamber 142 may be equally distributed to the front-row tubes 11.

The refrigerant passes through the front-row tubes 11, is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger 1, and flows into the third chamber 240 of the second header 200. Because the third chamber 240 is not partitioned by an additional partitioning baffle, the refrigerant in the third chamber 240 may be secondarily mixed and stabilized.

The refrigerant in the third chamber 240 flows into the fourth chamber 250 through the through hole 214 formed in the central barrier rib 211 that partitions the second header 200 into the third chamber 240 and the fourth chamber 250, and the refrigerant in the fourth chamber 250 passes through the rear-row tubes 12, is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger 1, and flows into the second chamber 150 of the first header 100. The refrigerant in the second chamber 150 flows out of the heat exchanger 1 through the outlet pipe 400.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a first header of a heat exchanger, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the first header of the heat exchanger illustrated in FIG. 17, FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a heating distribution pipe of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17, FIG. 20 is a view illustrating the flow of a refrigerant in a second chamber of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17 when a heating cycle is circulated, FIG. 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant on the periphery of a distribution baffle of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17 when the heating cycle is circulated, and FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the periphery of the distribution baffle of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Like reference numerals are used for like elements as those of FIG. 1, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 17 through 22, a first header 710 of the heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes heating distributors 800 and 900 that are disposed in a second chamber 150 of the first header 710 to equally distribute a refrigerant in a gaseous state at a high temperature under a high pressure that flows in the second chamber 150 of the first header 710 through an outlet pipe 400 to second-row tubes 12 when a heating cycle is circulated, i.e., when the heat exchanger is used as a condenser, unlike in FIG. 1.

That is, the heat exchanger illustrated in FIG. 17 is configured by adding the heating distributors 800 and 900 to the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 and improves distribution of the refrigerant when the heating cycle is circulated, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency.

The heating distributors 800 and 900 include a distribution baffle 900 and a heating distribution pipe 800.

The distribution baffle 900 partitions the second chamber 150 into a first distribution chamber (see 151 of FIG. 20) and a second distribution chamber (see 152 of FIG. 20). The distribution baffle 900 may pass through and may be combined with the body 110, like in other baffles.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the distribution baffle 900 may be disposed under an outlet hole 126 of a cover 120.

Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the first distribution chamber 151 communicates with the outlet pipe 400 and an outlet connection pipe 410 and does not communicate with the tubes 10, 11, and 12. The second distribution chamber 152 communicates with the outlet pipe 400 and the outlet connection pipe 410 and communicates with the second-row tubes 12.

Thus, the refrigerant that flows through the outlet pipe 400 when the heating cycle is circulated, is divided by the distribution baffle 900, and a part of the divided refrigerant may flow into the first distribution chamber 151, and the other part of the divided refrigerant may flow into the second distribution chamber 152.

In this case, the refrigerant that flows into the first distribution chamber 151 may flow into the second distribution chamber 152 through the heating distribution pipe 800. Hereinafter, a distribution pipe 700 that is disposed in the first chamber 140 and causes a first sub-chamber 141 and a second sub-chamber 142 to communicate, is referred to as a cooling distribution pipe 700, to differentiate the cooling distribution pipe 700 from the heating distribution pipe 800.

The heating distribution pipe 800 causes the first distribution chamber 151 and the second distribution chamber 152 to communicate and passes through and is combined with the distribution baffle 900.

The heating distribution pipe 800 has a shape of a pipe having both open sides and an internal space 820, an end of the heating distribution pipe 800 may pass through and may be combined with the distribution baffle 900, and the other end thereof may pass through and may be combined with a cover baffle 720. One side that constitutes an outlet, between both open sides of the heating distribution pipe 800 may be exposed to an outside of the first header 710, and a cap 890 may be combined with the exposed side of the heating distribution pipe 800 to prevent the refrigerant from flowing out of the heat exchanger.

The heating distribution pipe 800 may have at least one distribution hole 880 that is formed spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap from the distribution baffle 900 to the second distribution chamber 152 so that the refrigerant flowing in the first distribution chamber 151 can flow into the second distribution chamber 152. In this case, preferably, the distribution hole 880 may be formed to be directed toward a central barrier rib 111.

Thus, the refrigerant in the first distribution chamber 151 may pass through the internal space 820 and the distribution hole 880 of the heating distribution pipe 800 and may flow into the second distribution chamber 152.

In addition, the heating distribution pipe 800 may include an outer wall 810 that constitutes the internal space 820 and a plurality of ribs 840, 850, 860, and 870 that protrude from the outer wall 810.

The plurality of ribs 840, 850, 860, and 870 may include support ribs 840, 850, and 860 that protrude from the outer wall 810 to separate the outer wall 810 from an inner side of the first header 710 and are supported on the inner side of the first header 710, and a stopper rib 870 that limits insertion depths of the tubes 10.

The support ribs 840, 850, and 860 may include lower support ribs 840 that protrude from a lower side of the outer wall 810, left support ribs 850 that protrude from a left side of the outer wall 810, and right support ribs 860 that protrude from a right side of the outer wall 810, based on directions from which the support ribs 840, 850, and 860 protrude.

The stopper rib 870 may protrude from an upper portion of the outer wall 810 and may prevent the tubes 10 from being excessively inserted into the second chamber 150.

In this way, the heating distribution pipe 800 may have the same structure as that of the cooling distribution pipe 700 except that the length of the heating distribution pipe 800 is slightly greater than that of the cooling distribution pipe 700 and the position of the distribution hole 880 is different from that of the distribution hole 680.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, when the rear-row tubes 12 are divided into tubes in a first zone X that are positioned in a zone X close to the outlet pipe 400 and tubes in a second zone Y that are positioned in a zone Y distant from the outlet pipe 400, by setting a middle part of a tube that is the closest to the outlet pipe 400 and a tube that is farthest from the outlet pipe 400 to a reference point P, at least one distribution hole 880 of the heating distribution pipe 800 may be formed in position corresponding to the tubes in the second zone Y.

Through this structure, via the heating distribution pipe 800, the greater part of the refrigerant that flows in the first distribution chamber 151 may be distributed to the tubes in the second zone Y, and the greater part of the refrigerant that flows in the second distribution chamber 152 may be distributed to the tubes in the first zone X.

In the structure of the heating distributor, the size of resistance exerted on the refrigerant when the cooling cycle is circulated can be minimized. That is, a part of the refrigerant that flows in the second chamber 150 of the first header 710 through the rear-row tubes 12 when the cooling cycle is circulated may flow out of the outlet pipe 400 through the heating distribution pipe 800 and the first distribution chamber 151, and the other part of the refrigerant may flow out of the outlet pipe 400 through the second distribution chamber 152 without passing the heating distribution pipe 800.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17 when a cooling cycle is circulated, and FIG. 24 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17 when a heating cycle is circulated.

The flow of the refrigerant of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17 when the cooling cycle is circulated and the flow of the refrigerant of the heat exchanger of FIG. 17 when the heating cycle is circulated will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, when the cooling cycle is circulated, the refrigerant flows in the first chamber 140 of the first header 710 through the inlet pipe 300. The refrigerant passes through the front-row tubes 11, is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger, flows into the third chamber 240 of the second header 200 and the fourth chamber 250 of the second header 200, and then passes through the rear-row tubes 12 and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger. Subsequently, the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger through the second chamber 150 of the first header 710 and the outlet pipe 400.

In this case, the refrigerant that flows in the first chamber 140 of the first header 710 through the inlet pipe 300 may be a refrigerant in a liquid or gaseous state at a low temperature under a low pressure and may be mixed and distributed through the cooling distributor including the partitioning baffle 143 and the distribution pipe 600 disposed in the first chamber 140.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, when the heating cycle is circulated, the refrigerant flows in the second chamber 150 of the first header 710 through the outlet pipe 400. The refrigerant passes through the rear-row tubes 12, is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger, flows into the fourth chamber 250 of the second header 200 and the third chamber 240 of the second header 200, and then passes through the front-row tubes 11 and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger. Subsequently, the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger through the first chamber 140 of the first header 710 and the inlet pipe 300.

In this case, the refrigerant that flows in the second chamber 150 of the first header 710 through the outlet pipe 400 may be a refrigerant in a gaseous state at a high temperature under a high pressure and may be mixed and distributed through the heating distributor including the distribution baffle 900 and the heating distribution pipe 800 disposed in the second chamber 150.

According to the spirit of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger includes one inlet pipe and one outlet pipe, a first header includes a first sub-chamber in which a refrigerant flows and a second sub-chamber in which tubes communicate with one another, and the refrigerant that flows in the first sub-chamber is first mixed and stabilized in the first sub-chamber, then flows into the second sub-chamber through a distribution pipe, and thus can be equally distributed to the tubes.

In addition, because the distribution pipe passes through and is combined with a cover baffle combined with the first header and a partitioning baffle, the distribution pipe can be easily assembled and a combination force can be obtained.

In addition, when the refrigerant that flows in the third chamber of the second header through front-row tubes flows into a fourth chamber of the second header through holes of a central barrier rib, no partitioning baffle is present in the third chamber so that the refrigerant can flow into the fourth chamber after it is mixed and stabilized in the third chamber, and no through hole is formed in a predetermined section of both sides of the central barrier rib so that a refrigerant in a liquid state can equally flow into the fourth chamber.

In addition, because the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are connected to a flange formed of aluminum through an inlet connection pipe and an outlet connection pipe formed of stainless steel, abrasion caused by dissimilar metal joining can be prevented, and the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are combined with each other by brazing at an outer side of the flange using solder rings and are supported on an inner side of the flange due to enlarged pipe parts of ends of the inlet connection pipe and the outlet connection pipe so that a combination force can be obtained.

In addition, when a heating cycle is circulated, distribution of the refrigerant is improved through a heating distribution pipe so that heat exchange efficiency can be improved.

In this case, because the heating distribution pipe has a structure in which a flow resistance of the refrigerant is minimized when a cooling cycle is circulated, due to addition of the heating distribution pipe, heat exchange efficiency when the cooling cycle is circulated is not lowered.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat exchanger comprising: an inlet pipe through which a refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger; an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger; tubes into which the refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger and which are disposed in a plurality of rows comprising a first row and a second row; a first header having a first chamber in which the refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger through the inlet pipe and the first-row tubes communicate with one another and a second chamber in which the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger through the outlet pipe and the second-row tubes communicate with one another; a second header having a third chamber in which the first-row tubes communicate with one another and a fourth chamber in which the refrigerant in the third chamber flows and the second-row tubes communicate with one another; a first partitioning baffle that partitions the first chamber into a first sub-chamber in which the refrigerant flows through the inlet pipe and a second sub-chamber in which the first-row tubes communicate with one another; and a distribution pipe that passes through and is combined with the first partitioning baffle, is disposed in a lengthwise direction of the first header, and has a plurality of distribution holes formed spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap from the first partitioning baffle to the second sub-chamber.
 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant that flows in the first sub-chamber through the inlet pipe is mixed in the first sub-chamber and then flows into the second sub-chamber through the distribution pipe.
 3. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein an end of the distribution pipe passes through and is combined with the first partitioning baffle, and the other end of the distribution pipe passes through and is combined with a cover baffle combined with the first header to cover one open side of the second sub-chamber.
 4. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the distribution pipe has two distribution holes.
 5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first header comprises a central barrier rib that partitions the first header into the first chamber and the second chamber, and the distribution hole is formed to be directed toward the central barrier rib.
 6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising a cap that is combined with an outlet of the distribution pipe and seals the outlet of the distribution pipe.
 7. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the distribution pipe comprises an internal space, an outer wall that constitutes the internal space, and a plurality of ribs that protrude from the outer wall to separate the outer wall from an inner side of the first header and that are supported on the inner side of the first header.
 8. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the outer wall is spaced apart from the inner side of the first header by a gap of 1 mm or more.
 9. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the plurality of ribs comprise a plurality of lower ribs that protrude from a lower side of the outer wall, a plurality of left ribs that protrude from a left side of the outer wall, and a plurality of right ribs that protrude from a right side of the outer wall.
 10. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the ribs are formed spaced apart from each other, and a flow space, in which the refrigerant is able to flow, is formed between the ribs.
 11. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the distribution pipe comprises an internal space, an outer wall that constitutes the internal space, and a stopper rib that protrudes from an upper side of the outer wall to limit insertion depths of the first-row tubes.
 12. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the distribution pipe is 15% to 30% of a cross-sectional area of the first chamber.
 13. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein a differential pressure between a refrigerant that flows into the heat exchanger through the inlet pipe and a refrigerant that flows out of the heat exchanger through the outlet pipe is 0.5 kgf/cm² to 2.0 kgf/cm².
 14. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the third chamber is not partitioned by an additional baffle so that the refrigerant that flows into the third chamber from the first chamber through the front-row tubes is mixed in the third chamber and then flows into the fourth chamber, and the fourth chamber is partitioned by at least one second partitioning baffle.
 15. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the second header comprises a central barrier rib that partitions the second header into the third chamber and the fourth chamber, and at least one through hole through which the third chamber and the fourth chamber are connected to each other, is formed in the central barrier rib, the at least one through hole not being formed in a predetermined section of both ends of the central barrier rib.
 16. The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising: an inlet connection pipe combined with the inlet pipe; an outlet connection pipe combined with the outlet pipe; and a flange that causes the inlet connection pipe and the outlet connection pipe to be combined with the first header, wherein the flange is combined with the first header by brazing and riveting.
 17. The heat exchanger of claim 16, wherein the inlet connection pipe and the outlet connection pipe are combined with an outer side of the flange by brazing using solder rings.
 18. The heat exchanger of claim 16, wherein the first header comprises a body having a central barrier rib and a cover combined with the body, the cover comprises a through hole through which a part of the central barrier rib passes, and the flange comprises an insertion groove in which at least a part of the central barrier rib that passes through the through hole is inserted.
 19. A heat exchanger comprising: tubes in which a refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger; a header having a chamber formed in the header; a first cover baffle and a second cover baffle that are combined with both ends of the header to cover both open sides of the chamber; a partitioning baffle combined with the header to partition the chamber; a first sub-chamber, which is formed between the first cover baffle and the partitioning baffle and in which the refrigerant flows; a second sub-chamber, which is formed between the partitioning baffle and the second cover baffle and in which the tubes communicate with one another; and a distribution pipe that passes through and is combined with the partitioning baffle and the second cover baffle and is disposed in a lengthwise direction of the header.
 20. The heat exchanger of claim 19, wherein distribution pipe through holes through which the distribution pipe passes, are formed in the partitioning baffle and the second cover baffle.
 21. The heat exchanger of claim 20, wherein the distribution pipe comprises an internal space, an outer wall that constitutes the internal space, and ribs that protrude from the outer wall to reinforce a combination force between the partitioning baffle and the second cover baffle, and the distribution pipe through holes have shapes corresponding to a cross-section of the distribution pipe.
 22. The heat exchanger of claim 19, wherein the distribution pipe is formed of aluminum and is combined with the partitioning baffle and the second cover baffle by brazing.
 23. The heat exchanger of claim 21, wherein an inlet of the distribution pipe is disposed in the first sub-chamber so that a refrigerant in the first sub-chamber is able to flow in the distribution pipe through the inlet of the distribution pipe, an outlet of the distribution pipe is exposed to an outside of the header, an additional cap is combined with the outlet of the distribution pipe, and the outlet of the distribution pipe is sealed, and at least one distribution hole through which the refrigerant in the first sub-chamber flows into the second sub-chamber is formed in the outer wall of the distribution pipe.
 24. The heat exchanger of claim 23, wherein the cap is formed of aluminum and is combined with the distribution pipe by brazing.
 25. A heat exchanger comprising: tubes in which a refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger; a first header and a second header, which are spaced apart from each other in lengthwise directions of the first header and the second header and in which the tubes communicate with one another; one inlet pipe through which the refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger; and a distribution pipe disposed in the first and second headers in the lengthwise directions of the first and second headers to distribute the refrigerant that flows in the heat exchanger through the one inlet pipe to the tubes, wherein the first header comprises a first sub-chamber where the refrigerant flowing through the one inlet pipe is mixed before being distributed to the tubes and a second sub-chamber, which is partitioned from the first sub-chamber and in which the tubes communicate with each other, the distribution pipe is separately provided from the one inlet pipe not to contact the one inlet pipe, and the refrigerant flowing through the one inlet pipe successively passes through the first sub-chamber, an inside of the distribution pipe, and the second sub-chamber and is distributed to the tubes.
 26. A heat exchanger comprising: an inlet pipe through which a refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger; an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger; tubes in which the refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger and which are disposed in a plurality of rows comprising a first row and a second row; a first header having a first chamber in which the refrigerant flows through the inlet pipe and the first-row tubes communicate with each other and a second chamber in which the refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger through the outlet pipe and the second-row tubes communicate with each other; and a second header having a third chamber in which the first-row tubes communicate with each other and a fourth chamber in which the refrigerant in the third chamber flows and the second-row tubes communicate with each other, wherein the third chamber is not partitioned by a baffle so that the refrigerant flowing through the front-row tubes is mixed in the third chamber and then flows into the fourth chamber, and the fourth chamber is partitioned into a plurality of sub-chambers by the baffle so that the refrigerant flowing in the third chamber is distributed to the rear-row tubes.
 27. The heat exchanger of claim 26, wherein the second header comprises a central barrier rib that partitions the second header into the third chamber and the fourth chamber, and at least one through hole through which the third chamber and the fourth chamber are connected to each other, is formed in the central barrier rib, the at least one through hole not being formed in a predetermined section of both ends of the central barrier rib.
 28. A heat exchanger comprising: tubes into which a refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger and which are disposed in a plurality of rows comprising a first row and a second row; a first header having a first chamber that communicates with ends of the first-row tubes and a second chamber that communicates with ends of the second-row tubes; a second header having a third chamber that communicates with the other ends of the first-row tubes and a fourth chamber that communicates with the other ends of the second-row tubes and the third chamber; an inlet pipe that communicates with the first chamber so that the refrigerant is able to flow in the heat exchanger when a cooling cycle is circulated and the refrigerant is able to flow out of the heat exchanger when a heating cycle is circulated; an outlet pipe that communicates with the second chamber so that the refrigerant is able to flow out of the heat exchanger when the cooling cycle is circulated and the refrigerant is able to flow in the heat exchanger when the heating cycle is circulated; a heating distributor disposed in the second chamber so that the refrigerant that flows into the second chamber through the outlet pipe when the heating cycle is circulated is able to be distributed to the second-row tubes.
 29. The heat exchanger of claim 28, wherein the heating distributor comprises a distribution baffle that partitions the second chamber into a first distribution chamber and a second distribution chamber and a heating distribution pipe that passes through the distribution baffle and causes the first distribution chamber and the second distribution chamber to communicate.
 30. The heat exchanger of claim 29, wherein the distribution baffle is disposed to correspond to a position of an outlet hole formed in the first header so that the refrigerant flows through the outlet pipe.
 31. The heat exchanger of claim 29, wherein the first distribution chamber communicates with the outlet pipe and does not communicate with the tubes, and the second distribution chamber communicates with the outlet pipe and the second-row tubes.
 32. The heat exchanger of claim 29, wherein a part of the refrigerant that flows in the second chamber through the outlet pipe flows into the first distribution chamber, and the other part of the refrigerant flows into the second distribution chamber.
 33. The heat exchanger of claim 29, wherein the refrigerant that flows in the second chamber through the outlet pipe is guided to the first distribution chamber and the second distribution chamber that are partitioned by the distribution baffle.
 34. The heat exchanger of claim 29, wherein the refrigerant that flows in the first distribution chamber passes through the heating distribution pipe and the second distribution chamber and is guided to the second-row tubes, and the refrigerant flowing in the second distribution chamber is directly guided to the second-row tubes.
 35. The heat exchanger of claim 29, wherein the heating distribution pipe has at least one distribution hole through which the refrigerant in the first distribution chamber is distributed to the second-row tubes.
 36. The heat exchanger of claim 35, wherein the second-row tubes comprise first zone tubes that are positioned in a zone close to the outlet pipe and a second zone tubes that are positioned in a zone distant from the outlet pipe by setting a middle part of a tube that is the closest to the outlet pipe and a tube that is farthest from the outlet pipe to a reference point, and the at least one distribution hole is formed in a position corresponding to the second zone tubes.
 37. The heat exchanger of claim 30, wherein the second-row tubes comprise first zone tubes that are positioned in a zone close to the outlet pipe and a second zone tubes that are positioned in a zone distant from the outlet pipe by setting a middle part of a tube that is the closest to the outlet pipe and a tube that is farthest from the outlet pipe to a reference point, and a greater part of the refrigerant flowing in the first distribution chamber is distributed to the second zone tubes via the heating distribution pipe, and a greater part of the refrigerant flowing in the second distribution chamber is distributed to the first zone tubes.
 38. A heat exchanger comprising: tubes into which the refrigerant flows and is heat-exchanged with air outside the heat exchanger and which are disposed in a plurality of rows comprising a first row and a second row; a first header having a first chamber that communicates with ends of the first-row tubes and a second chamber that communicates with ends of the second-row tubes; a second header having a third chamber that communicates with the other ends of the first-row tubes and a fourth chamber that communicates with the other ends of the second-row tubes and the third chamber; an inlet pipe that communicates with the first chamber so that the refrigerant is able to flow in the heat exchanger when a cooling cycle is circulated and the refrigerant is able to flow out of the heat exchanger when a heating cycle is circulated; an outlet pipe that communicates with the second chamber so that the refrigerant is able to flow out of the heat exchanger when the cooling cycle is circulated and the refrigerant is able to flow in the heat exchanger when the heating cycle is circulated; a cooling distributor disposed in the first chamber so that the refrigerant that flows into the first chamber through the inlet pipe when the cooling cycle is circulated is able to be distributed to the first-row tubes; and a heating distributor disposed in the second chamber so that the refrigerant that flows into the second chamber through the outlet pipe when the heating cycle is circulated is able to be distributed to the second-row tubes.
 39. A method for equally distributing refrigerant in a heat exchanger, the method comprising: delivering the refrigerant to an inlet end of the heat exchanger using an inlet pipe; distributing a first portion of the refrigerant from the inlet pipe to a first chamber and a first plurality of heat-exchanging tubes near the inlet end of the heat exchanger in the first chamber; and distributing a second portion of the refrigerant from the inlet pipe to a second chamber and to a second plurality of heat-exchanging tubes near an end opposite the inlet end of the heat exchanger in the second chamber, wherein the refrigerant is distributed to the second chamber through a plurality of distribution holes formed in a distribution pipe connecting the inlet pipe and the second chamber.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the refrigerant is distributed in a reverse cycle such that the heat exchanger operates as a condenser. 